Topics related to the news or media in Nigeria are the focus of topics listed in this category. These may include online or print newspapers, tabloids, or magazines, as well as radio stations or radio programs, television stations, or other media, as well as websites whose focus is a discussion of the media in Nigeria. Sites representing media published or broadcast outside of Nigeria are appropriate if their focus is on Nigeria, as is any media located in Nigeria, regardless of topic.
As compared to most other African countries, Nigeria has long had an independent and active press. Its press has also long been a target of its government. In particular, Nigeria’s past military dictatorships have harassed, jailed, tortured, killed, or exiled journalists, including a Nigerian television producer who was executed for treason in 1995, an act that led to international sanctions and Nigeria’s explosion from the Commonwealth of Nations. Nigeria’s civilian governments have also been at odds with its media, both officially and through unsanctioned acts against newspeople by religious authorities within the country.
Still, the news media in Nigeria is relatively open and free. Certainly, there is no shortage of newspapers in the country. There are four nationally distributed newspapers, and each city has local papers, including at least fifteen in Lagos alone. Most Nigerian newspapers are published in English, but there are papers in local languages, as well.
Some of Nigeria’s newspapers serve as public bulletin boards, where paid articles, letters, and opinion pieces are published alongside legitimate news articles. Some Nigerian newspapers operate as service providers rather than as independent investigators. The quality of journalism in Nigeria may also be affected by low pay and close relationships between publishers, politicians, and businesspeople. Corruption may also come into play. Nevertheless, Nigeria has several newspapers that are comparable to those published in any other country, and some of them do so in less comfortable climates.
Several magazines are also in circulation in Nigeria, some of which cater to various special interest clients. With low subscription rates, many newspapers and magazines struggle to survive. This too, occurs in Western countries as well.
Some of Nigeria’s print newspapers and magazines have electronic versions online, while many others are online only. These may include news aggregators and online publications whose focus is on opinion rather than breaking news reports.
Many people in Nigeria get their news from transistor radios, which are as common there as they were in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. There are radio stations in every Nigerian state, and there are radio stations broadcasting in various ethnic languages. While some of the country’s states have only one or two radio stations, Lagos alone has more than twenty stations. Additionally, there are two radio stations owned by the Nigerian government.
Programming is regulated by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, which reports directly to the President of Nigeria. For this reason, radio stations and program hosts in Nigeria are apt to be careful about taking political positions. Rather than stating an opinion, hosts of call-in shows will initiate a discussion and have callers give their opinions, but without voicing their own. Religious programming is not permitted in Nigeria, although some stations get around this prohibition by labeling its content as “inspirational programming.”
There are five major television broadcasters in Nigeria, including one station that is owned by the Nigerian government. There were one several others, but many of the country’s smaller stations have gone out of business after the government required stations to switch from analog to digital technology. Television stations in Nigeria air programming from all over the world, as well as Nigerian content in many languages, including local news programs, reality television shows, soap operas, and movies. Satellite television is available, including a few satellite companies that offer foreign-language content.
From the volume of news and media outlets available in Nigeria, it is clear that Nigerians have an interest in knowing what is going on in their country, as well as the means of obtaining this information.
Recommended Resources
Published online and in print, the Daily Post covers Nigeria and other African countries. Topics include local, metro, and regional news, political issues, sports stories, opinion features and letters to the editor, reports on educational issues and facilities, health issues and programs, interviews, and entertainment features. Advertising opportunities are published along with its terms, policies, and a jobs available featured.
http://www.dailypost.ng/
Based in Abuja, Nigeria, Leadership is a daily newspaper distributed nationally, and published by Leadership Newspaper Group, available in print and electronic format. General information and contacts for the publisher are posted, along with its advertising policies, terms, conditions, and policies. Its content includes news and political reporting and commentary, sports stories, entertainment features, editorials, photos, video, and opinion columns.
http://leadership.ng/
The site presents news and informational articles relating to Nigeria, such as governmental or political news, crime reports and other news reporting, education or sports stories, and information about businesses and economic development within the country, organizational reports, and reports on Nigerian politicians, celebrities, or other prominent people within the country. Advertising opportunities are included.
http://www.medianigeria.com/
Featuring aggregated news and entertainment content, Naij is a popular website in Nigeria. Founded in 2012, its is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, with an editorial hub in Abuja. Its topics include news headlines, particularly related to well-known politicians, entertainers, and other celebrities, sports news, gossip, and event coverage. Readers may submit stories or photos for publication, and its advertising policies and employment opportunities are posted.
https://www.naija.ng/
The online publication publishes news reports from media throughout Nigeria, as well as other featured sites, including government, business, school, and religious sources, which may include commentary, national and state news, political issues, business reports, sports topics, and arts and culture features. Advertising opportunities are also available. Archives are available, and may be located by keyword search.
http://www.nigeriaworld.com/
Founded in the 1970s, Punch is a Nigerian daily newspaper that is intended to promote a friendlier, less political approach to news reporting than some of the other options, blending reporting of social events with everyday governmental and political news. However, the newspaper later began taking on a political stance during Nigeria's Second Republic, particularly in the months before a coup, although it continues to report on social and entertainment issues.
http://punchng.com/
The independent newspaper began in 1983, and owes no allegiance to any particular political party, ethnicity, religion, or interest group, and offers news and sports reporting from Nigeria and the rest of the world, political issues and commentary, business and technology issues and news, as well as a variety of lifestyle features, such as cultural issues, films, music, food, and events. Published in Lagos, Nigeria daily, the newspaper is available online and in print.
https://guardian.ng/
Targeting the business and political elite, affluent, and educated audience in Nigeria, the daily newspaper is published in Lagos, with printing facilities in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Its topics include business and economy news and issues, public policies, government, sports, and arts and culture. Other features include regular columnists, entertainment venues, health and education issues, and online specials. Advertising rates and policies are dictated.
http://thenationonlineng.net/
Established in 1984, Vanguard is published daily by Vanguard Media, and distributed in print and online formats, as well as several other related publications. Among its topics are news and sports reporting, management and marketing, maritime issues, energy, high-tech and computer topics, aviation, banking, business, tourism, health, labor, politics, education, health, insurance, and human rights issues. Advertising opportunities, video, and a guide to Nigeria are included.
https://www.vanguardngr.com/
